In an ongoing series, CBSSports.com's Eye On Basketball will take a look at playoff teams as they head into the NBA playoffs. First up: the San Antonio Spurs.

When we talk about the Spurs, there's a certain level of respect and admiration. The longevity, the success, the beautiful basketball -- the Spurs are truly an NBA treasure.

But there's also a dirty little secret about them: They haven't been to the Finals since 2007. They've had two first round exits in the last four years. They've dominated regular seasons, but have recently fail, and failed quite spectacularly, in the playoffs. Why?

The answer to that is sort of unknown, and also very complicated. They've failed in part because of bad luck, in part because of personnel, in part because that's just the way game breaks sometimes.

Here they are though, positioned once again as a favorite. The Western Conference playoffs are going to be rough and rugged, with a road even to the conference finals lined with a numbers of obstacles.

But Obstacle No. 1 for the Spurs is going to be themselves. As in, their own personal health. Last week, while giving a rather hilarious practice interview, Stephen Jackson made a significant proclamation: Everyone will be ready for the playoffs.

__________________NO D, NO RING!!!!
With 26 points on 4 of 4 shots from distance in only 20 minutes of PT. Efficient eviceration.
Wolves' fan: ginobili vs. the wolves is like he's just kind of laughing to himself all game...kind of like he thinks it's cute that they're trying to play basketball.[email protected]

I too believe that OKC will miss Harden. Whether or not the Spurs best are better than OKC best is a good debate. Having not been able to see that matchup this year is truly unfortuante. Everytime the teams played this year, one of them was always on the 2nd night of a b2b.

Spurs have shown they can beat OKC when Westbrook and Durant have big games. Beat them in playoffs last year when Harden, Westbrook and Durnat each went for 30+. This issue is the supporting cast of OKC. Ibaka (now becoming a key cog), Fisher, Collison, Perkins, etc, having big nights. Ibaka going 11-11 in playoffs, Perkins going 6-6, Fisher having 12pts last week on 4-5 shooting. THAT CAN"T HAPPEN IF THE SPURS WANT TO WIN!!

Don't double team, don't gamble and play good defense. If Westbrook and Durant go for 50 each, so be it. If they can do that for an entire series then shake hands and wish them good luck in the next round. But don't get beat by the scrubs....